Top Somali Referee Omar Artan Barred from US, Ruled Out of 2026 FIFA World Cup

HARARE – Award-winning Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been ruled out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being denied entry into the United States, one of the three host nations for football's biggest tournament.

Artan, who was set to become the first Somali official to referee at a FIFA World Cup, was stopped at Miami International Airport after arriving from Istanbul, Türkiye, and was subsequently denied entry by US immigration authorities. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, kicks off on June 11 and runs until July 19 across 16 host cities.

According to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the 34-year-old referee underwent additional screening before officials determined that he was "inadmissible due to vetting concerns."

"During processing, the traveller underwent additional inspection, a routine part of CBP's inspection process when officers need to verify information or determine admissibility," a CBP spokesperson said. "Following inspection, the traveller, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry."

US authorities have not publicly disclosed the specific reasons behind the decision.

World football governing body FIFA confirmed that Artan would no longer be able to participate in the tournament after being informed that his immigration status would not be changed.

"FIFA can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States," a FIFA spokesperson said.

The organisation emphasised that immigration decisions remain the responsibility of host governments.

"In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country," FIFA added.

Artan's exclusion is particularly significant given his recent achievements. He was named the Confederation of African Football's Best Male Referee for 2025 and was among the elite group of officials selected to oversee matches at the expanded 48-team World Cup. The Somali official has earned widespread respect across African football after officiating major continental competitions, including high-profile CAF Champions League matches.

Despite the setback, Artan struck a positive tone in a statement released after the decision.

"Despite the circumstances, I am in a positive mood, and I am focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career," he said.

The incident has reignited debate over US immigration policies ahead of the World Cup. Somalia is among the countries affected by enhanced travel restrictions introduced by the administration of US President Donald Trump, although authorities have stressed that admissibility decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

The case has also raised broader concerns about whether immigration policies could affect athletes, officials, and supporters travelling to the tournament, which FIFA has promoted as a global celebration of football. For Somalia, Artan's absence represents a historic opportunity lost, as he had been on course to become the nation's first-ever referee at a FIFA World Cup.

Omar Artan denied US entry